Courtesy photo Trevor Lyons, 22, was surprised when he was told he had left over psychological issues from serving with the Marine Corps in Iraq in 2006. By Sharna Johnson: CNJ staff writer He thought his reaction to the things he experienced in war was normal and felt like he was pretty well adjusted with […]

By Curtis K. Shelburne: Religion columnist It was a pretty embarrassing moment—that day years ago when I shot myself. I like to think of it as an accidental shooting, though I was holding the gun, and I was aiming carefully, and I did pull the trigger on purpose. I was intent on causing a death, […]

CNJ staff It may be snowing across much of New Mexico but there’s not much of a chance of white Christmas for us. Extended forecasts from the National Weather Service in Albuquerque indicate plenty of wind over the next few days, but only a slight chance of snow Thursday. “Even then, it’s less than 20 […]

By Greg Allen, 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs It looks pretty much like any 26,000 pound, 39-foot RV going down the road, if you ignore the enormous gold signage that says “Emergency Management Cannon AFB.” The Mobile Emergency Operations Center vehicle made its official appearance at Cannon Air Force Base on March 27, as […]

By Curtis K. Shelburne: Religion columnist What do you think God sees when he looks at you? I didn’t ask what you think others see. I didn’t ask what you think you see when you look at yourself, but it’s an interesting question. We tend toward extremes. We might as well admit it. Most of […]

CNJ staff ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico placed six players in double figures and the Lobos ran away from a depleted Eastern New Mexico University squad 94-50 in a men’s exhibition basketball game at The Pit. Junior forward Daniel Faris scored 15 points for the Lobos, who got 47 points and double-figure scoring from three players […]

Freedom New Mexico: Liliana Castillo Tarleton State running back Michael Sampson follows a block from guard Michael Jones (61) for a short touchdown run during last week’s game with Eastern New Mexico University at Blackwater Draw. By Dave Wagner: CNJ sports writer The Eastern New Mexico University football team knew things would get pretty tough […]

By Tony Gutierrez: CNJ staff writer Kevin Costner plays apathetic, everyday guy Bud Johnson from Texico in his new movie, “Swing Vote,” according to movie officials. According to a synopsis of the movie, Johnson’s daughter, Molly, sets off a chain reaction that makes her father the swing vote in the presidential election. “Basically, Kevin Costner […]

Freedom Newspapers ALBUQUERQUE — For the second consecutive year, the Portales Rams made it to the final four of New Mexico Class 3A baseball — and once again, they’re coming home one game shy of the finals. The top-seeded Cobre Indians jumped on top early and never lost their lead in a 10-7 win against […]

By Kevin Wilson: CNJ staff writer The question is simple: Would you rather be rich or famous? The answer is also simple: I’d rather be rich, because you can be famous for the wrong reasons. Now I have proof, because I grew up with somebody who’s now famous … and I’m not sure if it’s […]

By Karl Terry: Local columnist Black Friday. In recent years, it’s come to mean the Friday after Thanksgiving. But the name itself seems pretty negative to me. With a wife who spent a good deal of her professional career in a family retail business I know full well how important the Christmas season is to […]

By Mickey Winfield: Freedom Newspapers Riding a three-game win streak, the Portales Rams are a game away from a Class 3A state championship game. Their mission is simple: beat third-seeded St. Michael’s on the road at 1 p.m. today in the state semifinals. “We’ve had a great week of practice,” Portales coach Andy Correll said. […]

By Bob Huber: Local Columnist If you’re looking for answers that have eluded mankind for a dozen millennia, find a bunch of kids. They have all the answers. I received a real-life list of these answers recently from my niece Whitney, a soon-to-be college graduate. (No gifts please; send money!) Here they are: How do […]

CNJ staff ALBUQUERQUE — Sophomore Caitlin Waters led a 1-3-4 Clovis High finish as the Lady Wildcats used a strong overall effort to place second behind top-ranked Rio Rancho in Saturday’s La Cueva Invitational cross country meet. Waters posted a winning time of 21 minutes, 56 seconds over three miles for the Lady Cats, who […]

By Sharna Johnson: CNJ staff writer He was a quiet man who carried himself with consistency and unflinching stability. He was happiest when he was busy, family members said. Rufus George Jr. worked a majority of his life as a coach and teacher, spending 23 years at Gattis Junior High School, his wife Barbara George […]

By Grant McGee: Local Last weekend’s rains made the soil in the back yard of our house just right for pulling weeds. The Lady of the House does most of the weed pulling. She is merciless; if it doesn’t belong in her garden, it goes. I have a soft spot in my heart for some […]

Clovis sophomore Manuel Robles stretches before practice on Wednesday. Robles is the favorite in the triple jump today in the Wildcat Relays (CNJ staff photo: Tony Bullocks) By Jesse Wolfersberger: CNJ staff writer When thinking about home-field advantage, one might think of basketball, then football, then maybe baseball. Track and field usually isn’t in the […]

Freedom Newspapers SAN JON — A Department of Public Safety Motor Transportation Division police officer discovered more than $1 million in cash during a safety inspection of a tractor–trailer rig on Thursday. The money, found in denominations of $10 and $20, was bundled and filled a suitcase. “A million dollars is pretty unusual,” said Peter […]

Freedom Newspapers LOVINGTON — Morgan Hill had 15 points to lead three Lady Rams in double figures, and Portales jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in a 71-42 victory over Lovington in Friday night’s District 4-3A opener. Portales (13-6) played an inside-outside game, with Hill scoring on the interior and her […]